From highly polluted Zn-rich acid mine drainage to non-metallic waters: implementation of a multi-step alkaline passive treatment system to remediate metal pollution

Complete metal removal from highly-polluted acid mine drainage was attained by the use of a pilot multi-step passive remediation system. The remediation strategy employed can conceptually be subdivided into a first section where the complete trivalent metals removal was achieved by the employment of...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Rötting, Tobias, Ayora, Carlos, Macías Suárez, Francisco, Caraballo Monge, Manuel Antonio, Nieto Liñán, José Miguel, Pérez López, Rafael
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2012
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Huelva (UHU)
Repositorio:Arias Montano. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ariasmontano.uhu.es:10272/24836
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10272/24836
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Acid mine drainage
Metal pollution remediation
Caustic magnesia
Hydrozincite
25 Ciencias de la Tierra y del Espacio
Descripción
Sumario:Complete metal removal from highly-polluted acid mine drainage was attained by the use of a pilot multi-step passive remediation system. The remediation strategy employed can conceptually be subdivided into a first section where the complete trivalent metals removal was achieved by the employment of a previously tested limestone-based passive remediation technology followed by the use of a novel reactive substrate (caustic magnesia powder dispersed in a wood shavings matrix) obtaining a total divalent metals precipitation. This MgO-step was capable to abate high concentrations of Zn together with Mn, Cd, Co and Ni below the recommended limits for drinking waters. A reactive transport model anticipates that 1 m3 of MgO-DAS (1 m thick x 1 m2 section) would be able to treat a flow of 0.5 L/min of a highly acidic water (total acidity of 788 mg/L CaCO3) during more than 3 years.